Some people don’t know what “aerating a lawn” means but those who do swear by it. An aerator i
s a machine that pulls plugs from the lawn to open thousands of little chambers within the soil. The machine deposits the plugs on the top of the grass, which to the untrained eye might look like a thousand poodles descended on the lawn for potty time. Fortunately the plugs breakdown over the course of just a couple of weeks. The benefits of aerating are many:
- Lower water consumption – the new pockets allow water to more easily infiltrate the soil, reducing pooling & runoff.
- Root development – roots need both oxygen & space in which to grow. Healthy roots make your lawn more resistant to heat stress, drought, insects, diseases, & weeds.
- More efficient use of fertilizer – fertilizer prills land closer to the roots for better absorption.
- Less compaction – Boise, Nampa, Meridian, & virtually all Treasure Valley soil is high in clay. Clay soil particles are very small & bind together, leaving little room for air, water, & root. An aerator quickly & effectively helps reduce compaction.
- Thatch reduction – thatch is the spongy layer of plant tissue just above the soil & below the grass blades. Less than 1″ of thatch is fine but more than that can bind up nutrients & breed diseases. Aerating helps break through the thatch layer & reduces it over time.
We like to aerate in the early spring & again in the fall. You can also apply seed to a thinning lawn or fertilize just after aerating.
“What about sprinklers? Won’t aerating damage them?” If your sprinkler pipes are buried more than 4″ deep (& they should be), they will be safe from the aerator’s tines. For sprinkler heads, most are visible when walking by them but for added safety, you can flag the sprinkler heads before aerating.
If you haven’t guessed by now, Pro Care’s experts are BIG FANS of aerating. Call us today (208) 288-5589 or email customerservice@procareidaho.com to schedule an appointment.